"Do you know, Roland, that they are talking of you for the Legislature?" The question was addressed to him by Edmund Norris, who was greatly interested in his friend's success. "Nonsense, Edmund!" was the reply; "I should never please the politicians. I am no party man, and would never stoop to the tricks of men in office." "There is really a chance for you, Roland, and I don't see why corrupt men are to be allowed always to rule the land. I think high-minded, honorable men are greatly to blame for not taking more interest in public affairs; they could do much towards purifying our halls of legislature, as well as our courts of justice." "I have plenty to do here in my private walk, Edmund, and can thus exercise a silent influence among my fellow-men." In a few days, Roland found that all was not merely Edmund's talk, for a party of gentlemen waited upon him to see if he would allow his name to be used in the next election. He listened quietly to their propositions. "What do you expect, gentlemen, of your representative?" "That he would by all measures advance the prosperity of his State." Roland smiled, saying-- "According to the views of a certain party." "Certainly; he is bound to represent those who send him." "Then I suppose that he is expected to attend to many little matters of private interest; that is frequently attended with much trouble. What will he receive for such offices?" "He may pocket many a cool five hundred in this way, if he is only accommodating." "Supposing that his judgment and conscience should both be opposed to the views of his constituents on some points, what would be expected?" "That he would waive such inconvenient things in the way of politics, and always consult the interest of his party." "Then you expect him, in a free country, to give up his own independence. Is that so, gentlemen?" "Of course--he cannot be a public man, and preserve that. The independence of a politician is only read in the Constitution of the land; it has no real existence--he has sold it." "Then, farewell, gentlemen--I am a foreigner by birth, but an American by choice. I revere the men who framed our Constitution, and am willing to be guided by its noble teachings. I cannot consent to your proposition of making it a dead letter in my case, nor can I surrender the inestimable rights of manhood. I thank God for my conscience, and my judgment; I will not hoodwink the one, nor act against the dictates of the other. I am a _freeman_. If ever I fill a public station, it will be as an independent man, to advance the right, the just, the true only. I am not your man; I would be of no earthly use to individuals--the 'cool five hundred' cannot buy me." "We are sorry, Mr. Bruce," replied the speaker; "with your talents, you could reach any post of honor that you choose; but with your romantic notions, you are throwing away a golden opportunity."